History

Her envy of Bag End was well-known,[2] she could not wait to inherit it, and was furious when Bilbo made Frodo his heir. However, when Frodo left for Crickhollow he sold Bag End to Lobelia, but unfortunately Otho had died by then.[3]

During the War of the Ring, Lobelia was imprisoned in Lockholes for arguing with the Chief's Men, and attacking one of them with an umbrella. When she came out, Lobelia was popular for the first time for bravely standing up to the Saruman's Men. However, she was crushed to find out her son had died whilst she was in prison.

After the War of the Ring, Lobelia returned to her home village of Hardbottle to live with the other Bracegirdles, giving Bag End to Frodo. When she died, she gave her money to Frodo to be used to help hobbits left homeless by Saruman and her son.[4]

Etymology

Portrayal in Adaptations

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series): Although she is only named in passing, Diana Bishop plays Lobelia at Bilbo's 111th Birthday party. She and Otho are given a brief exchange complaining about being part of "one gross", and questioning what "Frodo coming into his inheritance" means.

Lobelia appears in Bywater. Frodo has to give her the Bag End Deed as one of the first missions. When Frodo approaches her she insists he first warn Robin Smallburrow of the wolves in the Shire by ringing the warning bell. Frodo does so, before presenting an exhilirated Lobelia with the Bag End Deed.